Signs of Stress in Cats, Causes and Treatment
- Rachel
- Nov 24, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
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As with most prey animals, cats tend to hide their pain and signs of stress can be very subtle. This is an evolutionary trait that reduces the chance of being an easy target for predators. Domestication has changed animals in a lot of ways, but survival instinct is second nature to our pets. This is especially true for cats, whose complex behaviours are deeply rooted in their evolutionary history.
Cats can become stressed for an abundance of reasons, and what triggers one cat may not bother another. Just like people, some are more sensitive or prone to developing chronic stress than others. This depends on genetic factors, such as a mother cat being stressed during pregnancy; learning from previous experiences; environment and emotions.
Situations that put cats at a behavioural disadvantage include lack of socialisation in the developmental stage of kittenhood; feral cats that have never experienced life in a domestic setting and hand-rears. Research has also shown that certain breeds are more likely to exhibit stress-related behaviours than others.
In this article:
Signs of Stress in Cats
When my old Persian, George, started peeing on a beanbag and escaping from the garden, it was a clear sign that something was amiss. Sure enough, he was diagnosed with bladder stones and had been concealing his discomfort a long time before showing any physical symptoms. To make things worse, he became severely depressed and, naturally, I blamed myself - even though I couldn't possibly have known any sooner.
While George's stress and its related behaviours were a result of pain, it's also possible for stress to be the cause of certain conditions. One of the most common examples being stress-induced cystitis, which is a defect in the way that cats handle stress; although the exact cause remains a mystery.
Signs of cystitis include urinating outside the litter tray, peeing frequently or in small amounts and straining or crying while toileting. Cats may also experience digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea in periods of increased stress or anxiety.
In the table below are some other signs and symptoms of stress.
Behavioural | Body Language |
Scratching or clawing furniture. | Wide eyes with large, dilated pupils. |
Excessive meowing or crying. | Whiskers perked forwards. |
Urine spraying. | Ears pointing to the back or sides of the head (airplane ears). |
Hiding. | Tail tucked under or curled tightly around the body. |
Fear and nervousness. | Tensed body held low to the ground. |
Extreme vigilance. | Fluffed up fur. |
Overgrooming. | Yowling. |
Loss of appetite or overeating. | |
Being quiet and withdrawn. | |
Lethargy. | |
Self-mutilation. | |
Aggression or fighting with other cats. |
It's important not to mistake a cat in distress for one that's being naughty, as it might seem as though your cat is acting out for attention. If destructive behaviour is sudden and out of character then a trip to the vets is the best thing you can do for them.
Related post: How to Prepare Cats for a Vet Visit and Reduce Stress
More acute signs of stress are easier to spot and are usually triggered by an unexpected or frightening incident, such as fireworks. Animals can suffer heart attacks in extreme cases, so if you notice any of these things then it's crucial to act quickly to remove or reduce the stressor. If cats don't want to be handled then give them some space or you could escalate things.
Crouched on all fours with a hunched, rigid posture.
Shaking, hissing, growling or drooling.
Excessive crying.
Rapid breathing or panting.
Involuntary peeing or pooping.
Immobility.
Lip smacking.
Pet Remedy Calming Spray provides a natural way of tackling stress and anxiety in cats, dogs and other small animals. It contains a blend of valerian and essential oils and can be sprayed on bedding, blankets and carriers prior to a vet visit.
Lip smacking isn't often mentioned as a sign of anxiety, but having witnessed it myself before knowing what it was, it's worth exploring just in case.
This is when cats move their mouths and it makes a "smacking" sound when their lips come together, sometimes accompanied by a flicking tongue. Most of the time it's considered normal behaviour such as after a meal, anticipating a tasty snack or while sleeping. If it's happening frequently or with other symptoms then it can indicate dental problems, digestive issues and the big one: stress. Cats might lip smack to help calm themselves down or relieve anxiety.
This is known as displacement behaviour, which means they try to distract themselves by doing something that seems out of context. Other examples of this behaviour are overgrooming and tail chasing, which could simply be a result of overstimulation!
When I first saw Drax lip smacking, I thought he was choking or about to vomit, but I later learned that it was a reaction to the ongoing conflict with his brother. In many cases, lip smacking stopped him from retaliating; so regardless of how irrelevant it seems, there are some clear benefits.
Causes of Stress
If cats have been examined by a vet and there are no underlying health concerns, then we need to rule out environmental factors.
Changes to Routine
If there's one thing cats hate, it has to be change! This is particularly true regarding their environment, and some possible triggers include:
Moving house.
Renovations or building work.
New people, babies or pets.
Cats take a lot of time mapping out their environments, both visually and by using the scent glands on their faces and bodies - yes, that includes clawing furniture or carpets (to a degree). These are normal behaviours, so if your cat starts scratching more than usual - or spraying as a form of scent marking - then it's probably trying to tell you something.
New furniture, new people and new environments all come with a flurry of new smells, which can be a huge knock to a cat's confidence and security. Their strong survival instinct means they're constantly looking for and assessing danger, so routine and predictability can help massively with stress. Cats learn from past experiences, and familiarity equals safety.
If moving to a new home, ensure cats have some of their old bedding, toys, litter trays and other resources as a familiar object.
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New Pets, People or Babies
If there's a new kid on the block, there's a good chance that cats are going to view them as an intruder, so don't be surprised if they act unusually fearful or aggressive. Just having guests over for dinner can upset a nervous kitty, and providing a safe room away from the noise goes a long way in reducing anxiety. It's also possible that a stray or neighbourhood cat could be bringing problems into the home if, for example, it's spotted in the garden or urine spraying near the house.
Cats don't need to see an intruder to pick up on its scent, a problem I've encountered with my own boys that led to an unpleasant case of redirected aggression. Introducing new pets or people should be done gradually and by following the same strategy as outlined in the separation and reintroduction process.
Fear
Cats can and will lash out at the nearest thing if they feel threatened, whether it's a bellowing rumble of thunder or the local stray doing a "Here's Johnny!" at the window. Adrenaline can take hours, days or sometimes longer to leave the system, during which time your kitty might be extra skittish or hide more than usual. Fear could also be a result of past experiences, such as trauma or abuse.
The earlier the stimuli can be identified and removed, the better the outlook. Remember too that cats don't perceive love in the same way that humans do, so don't make the mistake of smothering your kitty with unwanted attention.
Lack of Resources
Cats are solitary creatures in the wild and not used to sharing a territory. This is one of the main causes of stress in multi-cat homes, so providing more resources than the amount of cats allows for less encounters and therefore less squabbling - in theory.
Experts recommend one resource per cat, plus one extra: for example, if you have two cats then there should be three litter trays. Other vital resources include food and water stations, beds, cat trees, scratch posts and toys.
Resource placement is also important; something as simple as putting food bowls in high traffic areas can scare cats off wanting to eat. Both of my boys are nervous Nellies, but Drax in particular developed a habit of spinning around whenever he heard a noise that put him off drinking - which was as annoying for me as I'm sure it was for him!
PawPoll Wireless Cat Water Fountain is a large-capacity, stainless steel fountain that can be placed anywhere in the home. It has a quadruple filtration system and three flow modes: sensor, timer and continuous.
Switching out water bowls for cat fountains worked wonders, perhaps due to the distraction of running water or the trickling sound helped to drown out (pardon the pun) the creaks and squeaks of an old house. Either way, cats require privacy and that includes time away from their human guardians. The desire to poop in private isn't such a strange concept, is it?
Bullying from Other Cats
Bullying can happen for any number of reasons, some of which have already been mentioned. Squabbling over resources, territorial disputes, establishing hierarchies and picking on weaker or timid cats just because they can. Unfortunately, some cats simply don't get along with other cats, and if aggression is severe then the best option is to rehome or apply the separation and reintroduction process.
Illness or Disease
As mentioned, any kind of physical pain, illness or condition can trigger an emotional response. The only way to rule out medical issues is to get a health check-up. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), dental problems and arthritic pain are all common causes of stress.
A stressed body is also more susceptible to illness due to suppression of the immune system, as touched on earlier. Anxiety has been linked to certain cancers, heart disease, hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, hyperglycaemia, upper respiratory tract infection, reproductive failure and allergies.
Boredom
Lack of stimulation can have a detrimental effect on emotional wellbeing as well as physical health. Just as with humans, an active mind improves brain function and helps to keep anxiety away. Cats are curious souls that love to explore and interact with their environment. Burning off excess energy also reduces stress, behavioural problems and conflict between household cats.
Resources extend to toys and games, food puzzles, climbing areas, scratch mats and other forms of enrichment so cats can exhibit normal behaviour patterns.
Related post: Silvervine vs Catnip: Which Is Best for Cats?
Loss of a Companion
There's no way of knowing how a cat will react when it loses a companion, and even bonded cats may seem unaffected by death. Keeping a watchful eye on any behavioural changes will help to understand their emotional state: loss of appetite, restlessness, sleeping more, excessive meowing or crying, clinginess and staring into space rather than engaging in usual activities.
We don't know if cats feel grief in the same way as humans, but offering extra attention can help to reassure and distract a mourning kitty.
Zylkene Supplements for Cats contain alpha-casozepine, a natural milk protein with clinically proven calming effects. Helps to reduce fear-based stress and anxiety caused by challenging situations including changes to the home, travelling and fireworks.
Treatment
Getting your kitty booked in for a health check-up at a veterinary clinic should be top priority in cases of behavioural changes, even if they don't seem to be in any physical pain. Keeping a record of your cat's behaviour will give your vet a clearer picture of its symptoms, which will help to understand its emotions and possible causes. Further tests may be required for a diagnosis and treatment will depend on the results.
If stress is due to an underlying medical condition, treatment could include medication or dietary changes, such as urinary food to combat FLUTD.
Home-based treatments might involve making changes to a cat's environment.
Referral to a behaviourist for further advice and behavioural training.
Cat Calming Products
With an abundance of calming products on the market, it's hard to know where to start; however, this shows that stress and anxiety are commonplace in the domestic cat.
According to KBV Research, the global Pet Calming Products Market is expected to reach $20.6 billion by 2028, which is an annual market growth of 5.6%. Meanwhile, the Cat Calming Food Market was valued at $500 million in 2024.
Some of the most popular products include plug-in diffusers and sprays that contain feline pheromones or essential oils. Feliway and Pet Remedy are leading brands in the pet calming market, and while they have different methods of targeting stress, both aim to reduce most of the associated behaviours as listed at the beginning of this article.
In fact, users of Feliway Classic - the brand's original pheromone diffuser - reported a reduction in urine marking in 9 out of 10 cats, with over 40,000 reviews on Amazon.
Also available are calming spot-ons, collars, supplements and herbal treats. Some pet food brands that cater to prescription diets formulate calming food with special ingredients and tailored nutrition - at a price.
Feliway Optimum plug-in diffuser contains a new pheromone complex for enhanced serenity. It helps to solve common signs of stress including spraying, scratching, fear and conflict. Recommended by vets and behaviourists.
Summary
Similar to coming face to face with a predator in the wild, any kind of unusual or scary event can activate a cat's fight or flight response. Stress can be defined as a natural coping mechanism that, on a short-term basis, serves a very important function - as in the previous example, to protect themselves from danger and potential injury.
It's important to remember that there's a lot more going on beneath the surface. Stress is a biological response to a perceived stimulant that triggers many physiological changes in the body, and behavioural action is the final result. Vigilance is key in spotting signs of distress and working to reduce or remove it as quickly as possible.
Let's not forget that cats are highly sensitive to human emotions, too. Even if they don't show it, they're capable of picking up on physiological changes such as heart rate and blood pressure; as well as mannerisms and tone of voice. If you suffer from anxiety or find yourself going through a particularly stressful period, try to offer kitty some extra love and reassurance.
Related post: Do Cats Sense Depression and Anxiety in Their Owners?
To summarise, here are a few things you can do to make the home more cat friendly and limit chances of your kitty developing chronic stress.
Avoid sudden changes to routine and introduce new pets or people gradually.
Provide a cat-only room or private area.
Ensure there are lots of hiding places around the home.
Make sure you have adequate space for the number of cats you have.
Remove potential stressors, such as closing curtains if a stray has been spotted and limiting noise.
Provide plenty of enrichment, including mental and physical stimulation.
Schedule short play sessions to help burn off excess energy.
Provide vertical and horizontal climbing areas.
Offer plenty of resources and scoop litter trays regularly.
Don't use harsh cleaning chemicals, fragrances, air fresheners, scented candles or essential oils. These can be toxic and irritating to your cat's nose and respiratory system.
Utilise calming aids if necessary.
Mentioned Products
Feliway Classic Plug-In Diffuser
Feliway Happy Snack Relaxing Treats
Comfort Zone Calming Pheromone Collar
Do you have a stressed kitty at home? Share your experiences and remedies to help out fellow parents or get in touch for more help and advice.
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